The tyranny of the shores is supreme, even in the Pacific. Australia should take note. And America, too.
A call for Australia to include land power in their force projection capabilities:
For Australia, the ability to “protect-and-project” land power will be a critical tool in securing its national defence. While the Indo-Pacific region contains many waterways and large expanses of oceans that need protecting and defending, it also contains hundreds of islands, archipelagic nations and countries with large landmasses that maintain large land-based armies to secure those landmasses. Despite the sheer size of the Indo-Pacific, it is clear that the “strategic terrain” of our region lies in the seams between the land and the sea, just as it always has.
Certainly, Australia needs submarines and air power to strike attackers approaching Australia.
I assume Australians will fight with our Marines in the South China Sea. And don't forget Australia's ground campaign in New Guinea during World War II to block Japanese threats to Australia. Being able to help allies farther away to shield Australia seems prudent.
Although contributing to a Ukraine "peacekeeping" force on Ukraine's border seems like a bridge waaay too far. The author's comments apply in general to any force. But speculating on Australia's role so out-of-area betrays a needless panic over American foreign policy. Maybe deploy to Singapore or Japan first. Rest assured, I will raise my voice if I see reason to panic work the problem.
As the article states in defense of ground forces, "Having the credible capability with intent to conduct an action gives pause to others." This is singing to the TDR Universe choir and complements my call for U.S. Army contributions of its core competency in INDOPACOM.
NOTE: TDR Winter War of 2022 coverage continues here.
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NOTE: Picture from the Australian War Memorial.
